Cheer Glove and Methods of Using the Same

ABSTRACT

A compression cheer glove with wrist support, breathable palm and wrist support cover to conceal the wrist support and protect the wrist support and the athletes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to a cheer glove. More particularly, the disclosure relates to a cheer glove with a wrist support and a cover to secure the wrist support and protect athletes from abrasions.

BACKGROUND

Cheer routines, which often involve tumbling, gymnastics, lifts as well as other stunts, places extreme stress on the hands and wrists of the athletes. To protect against injury cheer athletes strength train, wear protective braces and practice using the correct techniques. However, some braces pose risks of injury or abrasion. New safety equipment is needed to support the athletes in ever-more extreme stunts.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The general purpose of the apparatuses and methods disclosed herein is to provide an improved cheer glove. Specifically, a cheer glove is disclosed which supports the hand and wrist while concealing the wrist support. The overall apparatus contains a first panel that covers the palm, a second panel that covers the back of the hand, and an interstitial material connecting the first panel to the second panel. The interstitial panel is configured to lie against the skin and compress the glove to support the hand. The interstitial material covers the wrist and sits between the wrist and a wrist support. The wrist support can be tightened and loosened for comfort and for increased support. The interstitial material can extend beyond the wrist support to allow the interstitial material to fold back over the top of the wrist support, covering the support to protect the athletes from abrasion, to provide the wearer support, to ensure a better closure of the wrist support, and to conceal an unsightly wrist support to avoid distraction from the visual presentation of the cheer routine. This apparatus is designed to work in conjunction with a variety of existing cheer routines and costumes, but it could also be included in conjunction with utilitarian clothing as well.

In one non-limiting embodiment, the apparatus comprises a cheer glove comprising: a glove comprising a front panel and back panel comprising a first material, a wrist support; a wrist support wrap; wherein the two panels are connected together with a second material, wherein the material comprising a portion of the first and second panels is non-compression material, wherein the second material comprises a compression material; wherein the center of the front panel is a compression material; wherein the wrist support wrap is configured to circumscribe and support a wrist; wherein the second material is configured to extend from the glove portion, inside the wrist support and beyond the wrist guard and selectively folded back on top of the wrist support to cover the wrist support. In some embodiments the first and second panels are made from a synthetic ultra-microfiber fabric such as ULTRASUEDE®, or other similar materials. In some embodiments the material is a sweat-absorbing material which improves grip and traction with the floor when wet. In some embodiments the second interstitial material is a stretch fabric, such as POWER STRETCH™. In some embodiments the cheer glove comprises a wrist support which is configured to be selective wound around the wrist and secured so as to compress the wrist. In some embodiments the wrist support is secured using a securing mechanism such as a hook-and-loop system, ties, buckles, wrap and tuck as well as other mechanisms. In some embodiments the interstitial material is folded back over the wrist support to conceal the wrist support. In some embodiments the interstitial material is wrapped back over the wrist support to protect the athlete, as well as others, from abrasions caused by the securing mechanism.

Reference throughout this specification to features, advantages, or similar language does not imply that all of the features and advantages that may be realized with the present disclosure should be or are in any single embodiment of the invention. Rather, language referring to the features and advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature, advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Thus, discussion of the features and advantages, and similar language, throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same embodiment, but may refer to every embodiment.

Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the invention may be practiced without one or more of the specific features or advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments that may not be present in all embodiments of the invention.

Accordingly, there exists a need to for a cheer glove which can protect and compress the hand and wrist while also concealing the securing mechanism and protecting others discomfort or injuries which may be caused from contact with the securing mechanism.

The features and advantages of the present disclosure will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to describe the manner in which the advantages and features of the invention can be obtained, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates the palm view of the cheer glove;

FIG. 2 illustrates back view of the cheer glove;

FIG. 3 illustrates the wrist strap in an extended configuration;

FIG. 4 illustrates the wrist strap in a wrapped configuration; and

FIG. 5 illustrates in a covered configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present embodiments of the present disclosure will be best understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout. It will be readily understood that the components of the disclosed invention, as generally described and illustrated in the figures herein, could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the following more detailed descriptions of the embodiments of the apparatus, as represented in FIGS. 1 through 5, are not intended to limit the scope of the invention, as claimed, but are merely representative of present embodiments of the invention.

In general, the figures disclose an invention that supports and protects the hand and wrist.

In the following description, references will be made to cheer gloves and materials structures, but these items are not shown in detail in the figures. However, it should be understood that one of ordinary skill in the art and in possession of this disclosure, would readily understand how the present disclosure and existing glove structures can be incorporated.

Detailed references will now be made to the preferred embodiments of the disclosed invention, examples of which are illustrated in FIGS. 1-5 illustrate various views of a cheer glove 1 in accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention.

In one non-limiting embodiment, the apparatus comprises a cheer glove 1 comprising: a glove comprising a front panel 5 and back panel 10 comprising a first material. In some embodiments are selected to protect the hand. In some embodiments the material is selected to protect another athlete in a lift. In some embodiments the material is selected to provide secure contact with a floor or tumbling mat.

In some embodiments the cheer glove further comprises a wrist support structure 15. In some embodiments the wrist support 15 comprises a wrist support wrap which is configured to wrap around the wrist to compress the wrist for improved the strength during stunts and tumbling.

In some embodiments the first panel and the second panel are connected by an interstitial material 20. In some embodiments the interstitial material 20 is elastic and compresses the hand and wrist. In some embodiments the interstitial material 20 comprises a half finger glove wherein the half-fingers are finished. In some embodiments the color of the interstitial material is selected to appear nude on the athlete wearing the glove.

In some embodiments the interstitial material comprises an extended portion 25 that extends from the base of the glove and is configured to provides the hole through which a hand is inserted as the glove is put on. In some embodiments the interstitial material is configured to be placed between the wrist wrap 15 and the wrist to protect the wrist. In some embodiments the interstitial material is configured to extend beyond the wrist wrap 15 and fold back over the wrist wrap 15 to enforce the wrist wrap closure, prevent it from getting snagged, and prevent it from abrading the athlete or his partners.

In some embodiments the material comprising the first and second panels is non-compression material. In some embodiments the second material comprises a compression material. In some embodiments the center of the front panel is a compression material. In some embodiments the wrist support wrap is configured to circumscribe, compress and support a wrist. In some embodiments the second material is configured to be positioned between the wrap and the wrist. In some embodiments the extended material extends beyond from the glove portion, beyond the wrist guard and selectively folded back on top of the wrist support to cover the wrist support.

In some embodiments the first and second panels are made from synthetic ultra-microfiber fabric such as ULTRASUEDE®, or other similar materials.

In some embodiments the second interstitial material is a stretch fabric, such as POWER STRETCH™. In some embodiments the cheer glove comprises a wrist support which is configured to be selective wound around the wrist and secured so as to compress the wrist. In some embodiments the wrist support is secured using a securing mechanism such as a hook-and-loop system, ties, buckles, wrap and tuck as well as other mechanisms. In some embodiments the interstitial material is folded back over the wrist support to conceal the wrist support. In some embodiments the interstitial material is wrapped back over the wrist support to protect the athlete, as well as others, from abrasions caused by the securing mechanism.

In closing, it is to be understood that the embodiments of the disclosure disclosed herein are illustrative of the principles of the present disclosure. Other modifications that may be employed are within the scope of the disclosure. Thus, by way of example, but not of limitation, alternative configurations of the present disclosure may be utilized in accordance with the teachings herein. Accordingly, the present disclosure is not limited to that precisely as shown and described. 

1. A cheer glove comprising: a glove comprising a front panel and back panel comprising a first material, wherein the two panels are connected together with a second material; a wrist support wrap wherein the material comprising a portion of the first and second panels is non-compression material, wherein the second material comprises a compression material; wherein the center of the front panel is a breathable material; wherein the wrist support wrap is configured to circumscribe and support a wrist; wherein the second material is configured to extend from the glove portion, inside the wrist support and beyond the wrist guard and selectively folded back on top of the wrist support to cover the wrist support. 